American Revolution

• Tea Act 1774


  • This tax was left for symbolic purposes.
  • This makes the colonist furious because there is still a tax
• Boston Tea Party


  The colonists dressed up as Native Americans/Indians and dumped 9,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor as an act of protest against the tea tax.
• What was the Coercive (intolerable) Acts 1774 made for?


  It was an attempt to punish the colonists (Mainly Boston) for the Boston Tea Party protest.
• What were all of the Coercive (intolerable) Acts 1774

  • Boston Port Act
  • Justice Act
  • Massachusetts Government Act
  • Quartering Act
• What were the purpose of the Coercive Acts?

  Its was to show the other colonies what will happen if they keep misbehaving.
• What are Patriots?


  People who think the American colonies are better outside of the British government (Independence is best for them)
• What are the Committees of Safety?


  Patriotic neighborhood watches. The people living in the colonies kept an eye on the British government.
• Extra Legal Government

  Outside the legal framework
• The First Continental Congress


  • Meeting was held in Philadelphia in 1774
  • The purpose of the meeting is to come to a response to the intolerable acts
  • The first Proposal was to create a parliament in the colonies
  • A new legislative body where the 13 colonies would be represented.
• Suffolk Resolves-Paul Revere 


  The intolerable acts are not a law, and to get everyone to refuse to pay taxes to the British government to elect militia officers.
• What event took place in Lexington and Concord in 1775?


  The first battles of the American Revolutionary War
• Who was the governor of Massachusetts during the events of Lexington and Concord?


  Gov. Thomas Gage
• Why was Gov. Thomas Gage appointed by the king?


  To take over Massachusetts and suppress the rebellion
• What did many militia units do in response to the British threat?


  They seized weapons to use against the British
• What was Gage's objective in sending troops to Concord?


  To arrest the leaders of the Sons of Liberty and seize weapons
• How many troops did Gage send from Boston at night?


  500 troops
• Why did Gage send troops at night?


  To avoid conflict with the colonists
• What did the Sons of Liberty do when they learned the British were coming?


  They went into hiding and moved the weapons out of Concord
• Who were the Minutemen?


  Colonial militia members ready to fight at a moment's notice
• What action did the Minutemen take in Lexington?


  They stood their ground in silent protest against the British troops
• What was the significance of the unknown shot fired into the British column?


  It marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War
• What happened to the militia after the British attacked?


  Many militiamen were killed, and the British continued to Concord
• What was the outcome of the British troops' advance to Concord?


  The weapons were gone by the time they arrived
• What event is considered to have started the Revolutionary War?

  The shots fired at Lexington
• What were the key actions taken by Gov. Thomas Gage and the British troops during the events of Lexington and Concord?

  • Gage aimed to arrest Sons of Liberty leaders and seize weapons.
  • He sent 500 troops from Boston at night to avoid conflict.
  • The British troops faced resistance from the Minutemen.
  • The unknown shot fired initiated the Revolutionary War.
• What were the consequences of the confrontation at Lexington and Concord?


  • Many militiamen were killed during the British attack.
  • The British troops continued to Concord but found no weapons.
  • The event marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.
• What year did the second continental congress happen?


  1775
• What was the first thing decided in the 2nd Continental Congress?


  Creation of the Continental Army
• Who was in charge of the continental army?


  George Washington
• What was the first battle of the 2nd continental congress?

  Battle of Bunker Hill
• What happen in the Battle of Bunker Hill?


  Colonist seized the high ground and shot into the British.
• What is the Declaration of the cause and Necessities of taking up Arms?


  A document justifying American colonists' armed resistance against British rule.
• what does the Common Sense do?


  Blames everything on the king
• What was the main intention of the Declaration of Independence?


  To establish a new direction and not return to previous governance.
• In what year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?


  1776
• Who proposed the official break from the English Empire?

  Richard Henry Lee of Virginia
• What was the significance of Richard Henry Lee's proposal?


  It initiated the formal process of declaring independence.
• What does the term "overthrowing the government" imply in the context of Lee's proposal?


  It implies an act of treason against the English Empire.
• When did the motion to declare independence pass?

  July 2, 1776
• How was the motion to declare independence passed?


  It was passed anonymously.